he was 12th man last year in the ashes at CLS. He seemed to be a really good team man and had all the aussie players in stitches most of the time. Pity that he struggled early in the series, because this season's form tells me that he is a much better player than his early test innings suggested. Perhaps that's the point? Test careers are littered with terrific domestic players who failed to make the step up. I hope that Ed Cowan does get another chance.

At the halfway mark of the Shield season, my report on players on my A list.

Josh Hazlewood - 3 fc wickets @ 46.33 this season (one game). He's the next bowler off the rank, although James Pattinson is ahead of him in the queue (fitness permitting). Hazlewood had a stellar BBQ Cup tourament, and is surely eyeing off a WC gig. With the crowded Test schedule the way it is, I wouldn't be surprised to see Hazlewood getting his baggygreen sooner rather than later. I reckon he'll be included in the Ashes squad next year.

Fawad Ahmed - 18 fc wickets @ 30.72 (5 games). The leggie has been instrumental for Vics in their remarkable ascendancy to the top of the Shield table. He's the leading wicket taker for the Vics thus far, and third overall. With Lyon bowling as well as he is at present, the adopted bushranger might have to wait for the Sydney Test. Should his Shield form continue after the BBL break, I reckon this geeza is a shoe in as Australia's second spinner for the Ashes.

Joe Burns - 439 fc runs @ 54.87 (5 games). Ultimately, I now think that this guy will eventually replace Chris Rogers at the top of the order. The selectors would appear to want Roger for the Ashes, but if he keeps failing, he might be pensioned off for either Ed Cowan, or this bloke.

Nathan Coulter-Nile - 4 fc wickets @ 20.00 (1 game). I do like this bloke. There are a few blokes ahead of him in terms of getting a test gig. He's a big chance to play in the World Cup. Him and Hazlewood are banging on the door. With Ryan Harris expected to retire after the Ashes, NCN might have to wait until next season to get his baggygreen.

Chris Lynn - Been out injured. For me, he's the long term replacement for Michael Clarke.The idea of Lynn, Smith and Mitchell Marsh batting at 4,5 & 6 for Australia for years to come gets more more excited than Paris Hilton.

"Hey, doll. Could you scare up another round for our table over here? And tell the cook this is low grade dog food. I've had better food at the ballgame, you know? This steak still has marks from where the jockey was hitting it." Al Czervik, aka Rodney Dangerfield in "Caddyshack" (1980)

Team(s) Supported: Aussie cricket team, Liverpool FC (it's a long story) and the mighty blue boys in the AFL. I like watching good teams performing well. An advid fan of the Olympic Games. Looking forward to Rio in 2016 & Tokyo in 2020!

Really pleased with Josh Hazlewood's 5 wickets on debut. He's been on the fringes for some time, and thoroughly deserved his call-up. He seems to have developed into a very fine bowler, and if yesterday and today is anything to go by, I'd say that he'll have a long and prosperous Test career... fitness permitting, of course. I'd say that Peter Siddle will now find it tough to get back in. With 50 odd Tests and just shy of 200 Test wickets, Siddle has been a fantastic servant for Australian cricket, but I reckon the emergence of Josh Hazlewood, and the imprending return of both James Pattinson and Pat Cummins will most likely see Siddle playing out his days for the mighty Bushrangers.

"Hey, doll. Could you scare up another round for our table over here? And tell the cook this is low grade dog food. I've had better food at the ballgame, you know? This steak still has marks from where the jockey was hitting it." Al Czervik, aka Rodney Dangerfield in "Caddyshack" (1980)

Team(s) Supported: Aussie cricket team, Liverpool FC (it's a long story) and the mighty blue boys in the AFL. I like watching good teams performing well. An advid fan of the Olympic Games. Looking forward to Rio in 2016 & Tokyo in 2020!

I've been banging on about this bloke for a while now. I'd probably move Shaun Marsh up to 3, bat Twatto at 6, and let Burns come in at 5.

"Hey, doll. Could you scare up another round for our table over here? And tell the cook this is low grade dog food. I've had better food at the ballgame, you know? This steak still has marks from where the jockey was hitting it." Al Czervik, aka Rodney Dangerfield in "Caddyshack" (1980)

Team(s) Supported: Aussie cricket team, Liverpool FC (it's a long story) and the mighty blue boys in the AFL. I like watching good teams performing well. An advid fan of the Olympic Games. Looking forward to Rio in 2016 & Tokyo in 2020!